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Installation
of K of C State Deputy My dear Brothers and Sisters: “The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.” This proclamation from today’s Holy Gospel is a promise fulfilled. It is given from God to each of us who have faith in His Son Jesus. It is also a challenge because Jesus appointed His disciples and sent them out to do ministry in His Name for His kingdom. Very often people read or hear today’s Gospel and immediately apply the challenge of ministry to the hierarchy. Yes, it is true that the priests, bishops and the Pope have a special role of teaching and sanctifying the Church as they serve in the Name of Jesus. But it is also true that all Catholic people have a grave obligation to praise God and to obey His commandments and to follow His teachings. They also have the responsibility to proclaim the Good News of Jesus and to share our Catholic faith with others. Pope Paul VI stated that evangelization is a necessary part of our Catholic faith and all Catholics are called to share the Good News. I am happy to say that daily I do see and witness the dedicated service of many faith-filled men and women. I see young people discovering the truth about human life and love and life everlasting. Unfortunately there are many more people however who are lukewarm in the faith or not excited about our faith and the potential it offers us. Our Catholic faith, which is a gift from God, is given to us so that we can live in such a manner that we can appreciate today’s Gospel proclamation: “The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.” The local parish is the center of Catholic life for us as members of the Church. Our participation in the life, the programs, the struggles of the parish, enable us to grow in faith. While the parish always remains the center where we practice our Catholic faith, there are also many other Church organizations, movements and programs that ultimately enhance our parochial life and assist us on the pilgrimage of faith to life everlasting in heaven. Tonight we are very blessed to have one of these Catholic organizations here at this Mass. Thus it is a great honor for me to acknowledge the Knights of Columbus of the state of Oklahoma and to welcome you here to Our Lady’s Cathedral. From the very beginning of the Church here in Oklahoma, the Knights of Columbus have been an integral part of the establishment, development and growth of the Catholic Church. Tonight, members of the Knights of Columbus and their families from throughout the state are gathered here for this Eucharist. After Mass, we will have the Installation of State Officers and District Deputies. The new State Deputy, Paul Weigel, is a member of Saint Eugene Parish. However, he was a long-time member of Our Lady’s Cathedral living right across the street and thus our reason for gathering here tonight. He feels very much at home here. I would like to take this opportunity then to congratulate Paul Weigel and all the other state officers and district deputies. Your acceptance of the office to which you are installed tonight is a clear sign of your faith and of our Catholic Church teachings. Repeatedly I have stated that the Knights of Columbus is established on the teachings of the Gospels and the Church. Therefore, the Knights is not just a fraternal order benefiting its own members, you are also witnesses. You testify to each of us – and to all people – the fundamental tenets of our Catholic faith, namely: 1. The existence of a Good and Gracious God 2. Salvation in Jesus Christ 3. The Divine establishment of the Church Therefore, they themselves (the Knights of Columbus) are strong supporters of a) devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, b) obedience to the Holy Father, and c) respect for priests and the nurturing of vocations. The Knights of Columbus has been a visible sign of the Catholic Church in this country since its inception. We are proud of them and grateful to them and therefore welcome them here tonight to celebrate Jesus’ Presence in our midst. My brothers and sisters in Christ, how fortunate we are to have organizations like the Knights of Columbus and friends of ours who are members of the Knights. Through them we receive encouragement and inspiration for our daily lives. We are reminded that our faith cannot be merely verbal – but it must be lived out in the daily circumstances of life. Jesus always displays that in His dealings with us. He does not merely promise us His Presence in some esoteric fashion. Rather, He gives His own Body and Blood to us – to nourish us, to forgive us, to strengthen us for our daily lives. Our Catholic faith therefore is much more than a verbal expression of what we believe. It is also an acknowledgement of the Mystery of God and our participation in His life. For having been created in the Image and Likeness of God, our purpose here on earth, the value of what we say or do or propose, can have meaning only in our relationship to God. Or, as Jesus put it: “If you wish to have life and to have it more abundantly, you must take My Flesh and eat It. Take My Blood and drink It.” The Order of the Knights of Columbus has always recognized the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Throughout their history, they have celebrated the Eucharist with great devotion. Tonight they gather with us once again to lead us in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord and God. Thus, all of us Catholic people, people of faith joyfully accept the Gospel message we have heard tonight for indeed “The Kingdom of God is at hand for…” us! Most Reverend Eusebius J.
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